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BCFC  

Sun get Hilltops on sked

The Okanagan Sun will get a chance at redemption in an historic game at the Apple Bowl this season.

The Sun, who fell to the Saskatoon Hilltops 38-24 in last year's national championship game, will host the same Hilltops in a regular season game Saturday, Sept. 17.

The game is part of a ground breaking day in which the BCFC will host two regular season games against Prairie Junior Football League competition.

Earlier in the day, the Chilliwack Huskers will host the Winnipeg Rifles.

It's the first time in CJFL history teams from different conferences have met in a regular season game.

“I think it shows there's a real benefit to be part of the CJFL,” said CJFL commissioner Jim Pankovich.

“The teams in B.C. and the teams in the Prairies, play each other in their regular seasons, but what if we included some interconference games?  What's the level of competition and is there an opportunity to look at it during the regular season?"

Pankovich says they were looking for competitive games, not just the top teams, all throughout both conferences.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm from the member teams. It’s a really interesting concept and a really interesting idea to bring forward because of the excitement and interest it can create. I’m looking forward to both games.”

Both games will count in league standings.

Winnipeg and Chilliwack have never played teams outside their conference, while the Sun have not hosted the Hilltops since the 2000 national championship game.

The Sun were 36-28 winners, capturing their second national title.

This will be the ninth meeting between the two teams. Saskatoon has won five of the previous eight.

The news comes on the heels of a previous announcement that the Ontario Football Conference would be returning to the CJFL in 2017.

The Ontario Conference left two seasons ago when they decided to allow 23 and 24 year old players to compete. Teams in B.C. and on the Prairies have an age limit of 22.

The complete BCFC schedule will be released next week.



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